Egypt, Italy agree to face Euro-Mediterranean challenges

 In a joint statement, Egypt and Italy have stressed boosting relations and cooperation and facing the political, economic and security challenges in the Euro-Mediterranean region.
Presidential Spokesman Alaa Yousef said Italy expressed its support for Egypt to achieve full transition to democracy.
Italy is also confident in the economic reforms adopted by the Egyptian government.
"Italy expressed keenness on participating in the economic conference in Egypt, to be held on March 14," he said.
The two sides welcomed activating the Italian-Egyptian Business Council, noting that Egypt and Italy signed nine cooperation agreements at a total value of 500,000 million dollars.
Discussions between the two countries showed that there was convergence in views on many regional issues such as combating terrorism, restoring stability in Libya and resuming Palestinian-Israeli peace talks.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi flew to France on Tuesday on a three-day visit as part of a tour that took him to Italy, Vatican and France.
Sisi is scheduled to meet with his French counterpart Francois Hollande on Wednesday to discuss bilateral relations and the current situation in the Middle East.
On Thursday he is expected to meet with French businessmen to discuss economic cooperation between France and Egypt.